Leaving dogs in the country considered cruel

By HOMER MARQUEZ hmarquez@hearstnp.com

Published 6:44 am, Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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This sweet girl is Baby and Paws’ Pet of the Week. Baby is about 2 years old and was surrendered to the shelter when her owner could no longer keep her due to health issues. She is longing for a family to call her own who can give her lots of snuggles. She is very affectionate and just loves to purr. You can see Baby and our other wonderful dogs and cats at Paws Pet Adoption of Plainview, 500 SW Third St. (location of the animal shelter). We are open 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday or contact us for a special time at 292-8440. We’re also often open for a couple of hours on either Saturday or Sunday. Friend us on Facebook. Regular adoption fees: $80 for dogs; $55 for cats, which includes spay/neuter, microchip and one rabies vaccination. We’re always looking for volunteers! Age 13 and over may volunteer unaccompanied. Ages 10-12 need to be accompanied by an adult during volunteer time, and may stay one hour. Please contact us if you are interested! less

This sweet girl is Baby and Paws’ Pet of the Week. Baby is about 2 years old and was surrendered to the shelter when her owner could no longer keep her due to health issues. She is longing for a family to ... more

Leaving dogs in the country considered cruel

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Not only is it inhumane and cruel, but it's illegal. And one rural resident who lives outside Plainview says she's fed up with people abandoning unwanted pets in the country.

"As animal lovers, it just kills us to see this," said a woman, who asked her name not be published.

Living about 16 miles outside of Plainview, the woman has expressed her frustration at individuals who choose to drive out to rural parts of the country and abandon pets.

"It happens all the time," said the woman, who explained her family has already taken in six cats which have been left to die in the country.

The woman said she can't afford to take in any more, but the family still places a bowl of food and water outside their property so newly abandoned animals can eat and drink.

The woman says she can hear people dropping off the dogs in the middle of the night, and has even seen the act in the middle of the day.

The woman said she is keeping an eye out for any individuals attempting to drop off animals.

"I will resort soon to taking pictures of these animals and will be posting the pictures throughout Plainview and Lockney. If you can't take care of your own animals, you should not have them. Take them to animal control, don't throw them out to be coyote bait," the woman stated.

According to the Texas Humane Legislation Network, it is a Class A misdemeanor to "abandon unreasonably an animal in the person's custody." The crime is punishable by one year in jail and up to $4,000 in fines.

But this particular rural family are not the only ones being bombarded with abandoned animals.

"Many other people who live out in the country have said that people just come out and drop them off," said Cynthia Davidson, co-director of Paws Pet Adoption of Plainview.

Davidson agreed that the act was a cruel way to get rid of unwanted pets, especially puppies.

"Not only are coyotes going to get them, but they don't have food and water. They don't have hunting abilities. Maybe a cat can learn to chase mice or something like that, but these are domesticated animals, and they're not taught to fight, forage or find food on their own. And if you're talking about this area, where are they going to find water?" Davidson continued.

Davidson said recently people have even found boxes of puppies inside the city limits next to trash Dumpsters.

To help curb this trend of abandonment, Davidson pushed the spay and neuter effort driven by Paws.

If you have a Plainview address, Davidson said individuals can apply to get financial assistance to get their pets spayed or neutered.

"This can certainly cut down on them having unwanted puppies or kittens."

Pets of citizens inside of the Plainview city limits can drop off their pets at the animal shelter, but there is a fee. Though it's not what is desired, Davidson said abandonment in the country is a way harsher death than euthanasia.

"It's a little more humane but it's certainly not the result we want," Davidson said.

Davidson says the organization is still doing all they can to facilitate the adoption of strays through their program.

Animals are frequently featured as pets of the week in the Herald and on social media.

To see animals or donate to the spay and neutering fund, stop by the 500 SW Third Street, location Monday through Friday or call 806-292-8440.